A Personal Story From A World Vision Artist Associate - Flyleaf

Flyleaf With Rwanda Genocide Survivors

When rock band Flyleaf visited World Vision projects in Rwanda, it was a strange gig. They spent time with genocide survivors and children suffering from AIDS. Singer Lacey Mosley reflects on her experiences.

"I met a woman who is a caregiver for several people with AIDS. We got to listen to her story and meet her 10-year-old son, Eric, who stole my heart with his smile and the warmth of his embrace. I told them that my brother’s name is Eric, and the mother said, “Now my Eric is your brother, too.” Then his mother said something in her language, and the boy’s face fell dramatically. His sadness just radiated from his body, and he would no longer make eye contact. The interpreter said, “His mother says that Eric is HIV-positive.” Eric got up to leave, keeping his head down. I stood up and took his arm and pulled him to myself to hug him tightly. His countenance lifted and he would not let go. I tried so hard not to let him know that I was crying inside. The mother went on to explain she herself had contracted AIDS when she was raped during the genocide. This is something that World Vision is working to alleviate—the stigma that comes with AIDS."